Napoleon in 1812

Chapter 59

10. Defense master, offense genius – 5

There were not many options for the Allied forces, which had lost much of the necessary supplies to continue the war. Arthur Wellesley opened his mouth carefully.

“The kingdom will listen if we ask for the supplies we need. But the problem is that we don’t have enough munitions, food, and drinking water available right now. I have no choice but to ask for help from Lisbon (Portugal) and Seville (Provisional Government of Spain).”

Arthur Wellesley said he would make up for the lost war supplies from the Spanish and Portuguese governments. In fact, this was both a need and a request to the representatives of the Spanish and Portuguese forces within the coalition.

“We fought an unexpected battle. Most of the casualties were among the British troops. So you guys should show your sincerity in a different way.’

Some Spanish and Portuguese officials who noticed the true meaning of Wellesley’s words did not look good, but they accepted it because they could not do anything about it. Because diplomacy between countries was about giving and receiving. Britain lost blood, so the other two countries had to compensate in different ways.

‘The urgent fire has been put out, but how am I supposed to turn this situation around…’

Wellesley’s real concern was about an unstoppable fire. It was the first time he had ever met someone who psychologically dried him up like this.

===

Due to the nature of the battle, where victory and defeat depended on every decision of the commander, and where the timing was urgent, the army forced to retreat would generally do so while leaving the wounded on the battlefield. This was because the defeated soldiers had no time nor energy to spare to take care of the injured. The wounded would lay on the battlefield and become the spoils of the victorious nation.

Although they would be captured by the enemy, they would still be lucky to be taken by the regular army. Even if it was to get a ransom, the enemies would give them first aid, food and a place to sleep. The real unlucky ones were not those left on the battlefield, but those noticed by looters. Usually farmers or workers would become hyenas wandering around the battlefield like predators after the battle.

They would search the bodies on the battlefield and loot their items and clothes, and if they found someone groaning, they would never keep them alive. Most of the wounded soldiers who were left after the battle were not able to survive.

A total of 2,136 French casualties were reported in the battle against the coalition at dawn on October 17, 1812. And nearly half of them were injured. There were some people who had relatively light injuries and had no difficulty moving around, but there were also some seriously injured people who could not move without support. If the French Imperial army was still the same as in the past, they would have been left unattended, moaning in pain, or brutally killed by nearby civilians who turned into looters.

However, nothing like this happened in this battle.

“Sort the injured by the size and depth of the wound and the area of injury. Please be careful not to irritate the affected area when getting them off the wagon.”

Dominique-Jean Larreylll was the head of the medical unit in the Napoleon Corps.

In the midst of fierce fighting, Larrey was tasked with transporting the French wounded from the fighting to the rear. The mobile ambulance, which was built by remodeling existing carts and wagons, safely and quickly removed the seriously injured soldiers who could not move from the battlefield.

They retreated to the safe rear and received rapid first aid and treatment. This was why no French casualties were found at dawn at the battle site.

“Ugh… Baron! My, my leg… I can’t move my leg!”

A soldier shot in the leg grabbed Larrey’s arm with a bloody hand. The watchful guards approached to separate him, but Larrey waved to stop them.

“Calm down. Your last name is… Mr. Jung. Are you from Germany, Sergeant Jung?”

“That’s right, Baron. I have an old mother, a wife and children to take care of… If I become a one-legged idiot, they’ would have to live on a small military pension and compensation… Cough!”

Sergeant Jung shed tears over the pain in his leg and the sorrow of his situation. Larrey, who was exhausted from dealing with numerous patients, did not despise the man and calmly examined and treated him.

“I’m sorry to hear that… You won’t be able to receive compensation.”

“No! W-what do you mean by that….”

“It means, to be exact, that you are not eligible for compensation for missing limbs. There’s no need to cut off your leg.”

“Are you sure? Oh, my God! Oh God! Thank you so much! Thank you!!”

Larrey added that he may have a slight limp, but it was not a problem for Sergeant Jung, who was preparing to lose a leg. Seeing Sergeant Jung forgetting the pain from the gunshot wound and cheering, Larrey could smile lightly.

“Hey, you’re lucky! If the treatment was just a little late, you would have had to lose one leg. So be always grateful to Baron Larrey for creating a mobile ambulance unit that can move the wounded soldiers immediately, and to the Emperor for his absolute support and help.”

At the words of a military doctor, Sergeant Jung thanked Larrey in tears and shouted ‘Long live the Emperor!’. And so did other wounded soldiers. Many soldiers who were being treated at the medical center were able to complete treatment with fewer aftereffects compared to the injuries suffered.

‘All of this is thanks to the Emperor, who has an open mind toward medical practice and a heart to care for the soldiers.’

Dominique-Jean Larrey, a mere surgeon, was given the title of Baron at the Battle of Wagram, where the French faced the Austrians. Napoleon had the idea that the medical system would reduce the military’s mobility, but with the work of Larrey and other military doctors, he changed his mind and recognized them and established a formal medical unit.

This was an innovative act that other countries’ leaders dared not to think of, but Napoleon made a step even further after the Russian expedition

“How many Imperial troops are there, but there are only 1,200 medical equipment bags. From now on, each medical unit will always have medicines (bandages, opium, needles, sutures, etc.) that can treat 10,000 wounded soldiers. The Ministry of War Management should spare no support for this.’

‘The mobile ambulances are a very revolutionary invention. However, their number is very small and they are limited when traveling to and from muddy or sloppy land. Therefore, it will be necessary to have more mobile ambulances, which vary according to their use, environment, and purpose.’

In addition, Napoleon established new military hospitals, an organization for training military doctors, and actively recruited external surgical personnel. He even promoted medical unit officers. With the Emperor’s support, the role and proportion of medical units in the corps increased day by day. The political status of Larrey who was leading them also increased.

Not just a few people who smelled power approached him, but Larrey just wanted to focus on his duties and protect his fellow citizens of the Empire.

‘Nothing in the world is more vain than useless death. Saving even one more life would be the reason why the Lord sent me down to Earth’

Of the 1,027 wounded in the battle at dawn, 492, nearly half of them, were completely healed by these medical units. There were 417 soldiers who suffered from disabilities and physical defects but survived. Only 118 soldiers died during treatment or evacuation. This was the smallest death rate compared to the number of wounded since the medical unit was established.

With the full support and help of Napoleon, Dominique-Jean Larrey used the knowledge and experience gained while commanding the medical unit to revolutionize the French surgical medical profession.

===

Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bessières was brave enough to pull a sword and fight on the spot, even though he had risen to the position where he could become the commander of a corps. Today, he volunteered with his loyal men to deal with the roaches that were bothering the rear of the French army.

“I found traces of horses passing there. It is estimated that there are at least a few hundreds of them. Are you going to chase them?”

“You’re saying the obvious! The Imperial Army cannot sleep in a warehouse where rats roam!”

The reconnaissance cavalry from Poland, good at tracking and searching, was of great help in this situation.

As the search cavalry moved in the direction they were pointing at, they were soon able to face the British cavalry in red uniforms.

Both sides had unsuitable soldiers for this land, the slopes of a forest, where the bushes, weeds and trees were overgrown. The difference was that the British cavalry look very embarrassed, while the French looked like cats that found a mouse.

The first to draw his sword was Marshal Bessières, who then shouted.

“Look at their frightened faces, brave cavalry warriors! Proudly wear the breastplate that His Majesty the Emperor himself bestowed upon the soldiers and charge! Long live the French Empire!”

“Long live the Emperor!!”

The French cavalrymen, who rushed from top to bottom, were fierce and sharp. The British cavalrymen were overwhelmed even before they could fight.

“Shoot! Shoot!”

Tatata! Tatatata!!

There was a shooting of British chasseurs, but they were in a forest, with countless obstacles blocking sight and trajectories. Their shooting was not impressive at all, but rather stimulated the cavalry led by Bessières.

Only then did the British officers realize their mistakes, but it was too late.

Wham! Bang!!

Shook!

“Argh!”

“Gasp!”

Screams erupted from all directions along with a blunt shock. Most of them came from the British cavalry. All of the cavalrymen led by Bessières were cuirassiers. They were wearing breastplates that covered their chests and backs, lined with leather that protected their stomachs and flanks.

On the other hand, the British cavalrymen were composed of light cavalry and chasseurs. They were no match. When unilateral results emerged, the British officers, who confirmed the military class and formation of their opponents, ordered the retreat without hesitation. They were able to escape quickly, as most of them were light cavalry.

However, some of the soldiers surrounded by the French cavalry were forced to put down their swords and guns and surrender.

“It’s a small but brilliant achievement! Nice to meet you all! Our treatment of prisoners is more gentlemanly than any other country, so you won’t be so bad.”

Bessières smiled at the British soldiers who had lost their fighting spirit. Seeing that smile, the British soldiers trembled with fear. It was only a small battle, but the French succeeded in keeping down the nose of the British and, more generally, the coalition.

The French army was definitely on the rise.

@Author’s note:

Dominique-Jean Larrey was a real person who actually contributed to the development of the French medical science. And now with Napoleon’s backup added to this…

TL notes

[1] Dominique-Jean Larrey.